Securing Your Equipment With a Scuba Tank Holder Truck Setup
You actually don't need your heavy cyl rolling around the bed while driving to the dive site, which is why a good scuba tank holder truck setup is usually a total game-changer for anyone who else dives regularly. If you've ever spent a morning loading up for a coast dive, you know the struggle. You've got your BCDs, your weights, your smelly wetsuits, and then the large hitters—the tanks. Without a way to keep those cylinders straight and stationary, every sharp turn or sudden stop seems like a construction site within your backview mirror.
It's not just regarding the annoying noise, even though. It's about protecting your gear and your vehicle. Scuba storage containers are built hard, however they aren't invincible. A rolling tank can bang straight into your truck's steering wheel wells, dent the particular tailgate, or—worst-case scenario—damage the valve or the manifold. Once you've seen the valve get sheared off (thankfully an unusual occurrence, but frightening to think about), you recognize that the dedicated scuba tank holder truck system isn't just a luxury; it's a safety necessity.
Why a Dedicated Rack Beats the particular "Toss and Pray" Method
We've all been presently there. You try in order to wedge the tanks between a weighty gear bag plus a crate of weights, hoping the particular friction holds every thing in place. This works for approximately five minutes until a person hit a speed bump. Then, the whole house of cards collapses. Making use of a proper scuba tank holder truck configuration means you can really relax throughout the push.
One particular of the biggest benefits is firm. When your containers are lined up neatly against the particular bulkhead or maybe the edges of the bed, you suddenly have all this extra space on the floor. You can in fact see where your fins are plus you aren't looking through a stack of metal to find your mask. Plus, when you get to the jump site and everyone is rushing to get within the water, you aren't the a single wrestling having a twisted mess of gear. You just get a tank plus go.
Choosing the Right Style for Your Truck Bed
There isn't an one-size-fits-all solution right here because every diver includes a different set up. Some people have a dedicated "dive rig" while others use their truck intended for work during the week and need to be in a position to clear the mattress out quickly.
Foam Block Inserts
These are probably the most common entry-level options. They're usually made of high-density foam with cutouts for regular 80cf tanks. They're lightweight, they don't rust, and they're incredibly cheap. You can just throw them in the mattress, slot your containers in, and these people stay put. The downside? They can blow out of the particular truck if they aren't weighted down or even secured once the reservoirs aren't inside them. Furthermore, they tend in order to soak up saltwater and can get quite nasty if you don't rinse all of them off.
Plastic material Folding Racks
These are great if you require to reclaim your own truck bed on Monday morning. They usually consist of a base plate plus arms that flip down when not in use. They're specifically designed for a scuba tank holder truck application exactly where space is with a premium. Most are made from heavy duty UV-resistant plastic, therefore they won't obtain brittle after sitting in the sun all day at the beach.
Set Metal Rails
If you're the hardcore wreck diver or you run a small charter, you might want something more long term. These are usually light weight aluminum or stainless metal rails bolted straight to the truck bed or the side tracks. These people are incredibly protected. You can use bungee cords or specialized tank band to lock the cylinders down. These people don't move, they will don't vibrate, and they are designed for the weight of heavy steel 130s without breaking a perspiration.
The DO-IT-YOURSELF Route: Advantages and disadvantages
A lot of divers are natural tinkerers. I've seen some pretty innovative scuba tank holder truck forms made from PVC pipe, 2x4s, or also repurposed milk crates. The classic "PVC rack" is a staple in the diving community. It's inexpensive, custom-sized to your specific truck, and it feels good to build something yourself.
Nevertheless, there's a capture. PVC can become brittle over time, especially with continuous exposure to Ultra violet rays and the excess weight of four or five full cyl. I've seen DIY racks shatter throughout a sudden stop, sending tanks sliding everywhere. If you go the DIY path, make sure you're using heavy-duty materials and reinforcing the joint parts. Wood is an additional option, but maintain in mind it's going to get wet—a lot. If you don't seal it correctly, it'll rot or start smelling such as a swamp within a few months.
Positioning Matters Even more Than You believe
Where you really put your scuba tank holder truck setup the big difference in the way the truck deals with. If you've obtained six steel containers, that's a lot of weight.
Most individuals prefer putting the particular rack right upward against the taxi. This keeps the center of gravity more main and prevents the rear of the truck from sagging too much. This also shields the tanks through the elements a little more if you possess a cab-high topper or a tonneau cover. On the particular flip side, many people like the stand right at the tailgate for easy gain access to. It saves your back from having to crawl into the bed to transport out a 40-pound cylinder. Just make sure your tailgate is sturdy as well as the rack is bolted down so the particular weight doesn't change toward the rear while you're climbing a hill.
Maintenance for Your Holder
It's simple to forget that your scuba tank holder truck set up needs a small love too. Deep sea is the enemy associated with pretty much everything on this planet, including your truck bed and your tank rack. Even if you possess a plastic or foam holder, salt crystals can get trapped underneath and perform like sandpaper against your truck's color or bed lining.
After a day at the ocean, give the particular rack a quick spray with clean water. If you're using a metallic rack, check the particular mounting points with regard to signs of rust or loosening. A bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way in ensuring your own gear stays safe for years ahead.
Safety Factors You Can't Disregard
We ought to talk about the "what ifs. " Within the event of any sort of accident, a shed scuba tank will be a nightmare. It's a heavy, straight-forward object that can easily penetrate the cab of a truck. This is the reason, irrespective of which scuba tank holder truck system you select, you should constantly use secondary vices.
Don't just rely on the friction of a foam block or even the weight associated with the tank. Use cam straps or even heavy-duty bungees to tie the containers to the rack or the truck's tie-down points. It requires an extra thirty seconds, but this provides peace of mind. Also, usually transport your containers with the valves facing away through the cab if possible, or in least shielded.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, a scuba tank holder truck setup is 1 of these things a person don't realize a person need until a person have one. Once you experience the quiet of a well-secured bed and the ease of unloading at the docks, you'll never move back to just "winging it. " Whether you purchase a high-end light weight aluminum rail system or create a sturdy wood frame, the goal will be the same: maintain your gear secure, your truck unchanged, and your concentrate on the dive ahead.
Diving is supposed to be fun, not really a chore. If you take the time in order to organize your transportation, you're eliminating the stress of the commute and building the entire experience a lot smoother. So, take a look at your truck bed, work out how several tanks you transport, and get a good holder in place. Your back (and your own truck's paint job) will certainly thank you for it.